How Many Pilots pull a Sickie when there not?

[Flying Fiona]

When low cost Airlines changed the Aviation industry our working conditions changed aswell.

My roster is such that I have to regulary go sick to make up my shortfall in quality time to be with my family. I have to think about number one and put a finger up to my colleagues and company. I do this probably 3-4 days per month.

Do you guys and gals do the same?

[ManaAdaSystem]

No. No. No. No. No.

[Blu2]

Not wishing to sound like the model employee that I'm not, can't say I have ever gone sick, tempted.... yes, but never had the balls. Bribed crewing etc that I have done and it works, well sometimes at least.
3-4 days a month sounds a tad much though, am suprised that no-one has sussed you out!
Blu

[MOR]

Fiona - be careful. I got hauled down to EXT once and berated for a supposed pattern in my sick days. Now fortunately for me I had doctors certificates for every day I was sick - but they do have software that looks for patterns in sick days off. It mainly catches CAs.

I was able to extend the digit to our ex-FM, but if you don't have the certificates, you could find yourself in the crap.

If you do take extra days - and I completely agree that the poor rostering will eventually force the hand of anyone who actually likes their family - go and get a note from your doc. I always do, no matter what the problem. It is the only way to be safe (well reasonably safe).

I can honestly say that I never actually took a day off when I wasn't sick - but by the same token, I refuse to fly when I have a cold. Colds are very common in winter. They hang around, and is most unwise to go back to work too early...

[Chuffer Chadley]

What a terrible thing to do!

I haven't had a day off sick since early 2002. Admittedly, I haven't been flying for most of that time, but, all the same, 3-4 days a month is ludicrous!

I presume that there's more to this question than meets the eye? You don't look like a journo, but I just don't know.

Get well soon.

CC.

[Tallbloke]

What do I know I am just a wannabee but I think this is very selfish behaviour (give you your due FF, at least you admit it). Is it not also exactly the type of thing that screws up rosters leading to people getting the call on days off etc, which is well known for driving down moral.

In another thread this morning you said of your Ops director DON'T DESTROY THE COMPANY I HAVE HELPED TO BUILD.

IF YOU DON'T CARE ANYMORE. BLOODY WELL LEAVE. I AM SICK OF WATCHING YOU WALTZ AROUND WITHOUT A CARE IN THE WORLD.

YOU MIGHT BE NEARING THE END OF YOUR LIFE BUT I'M NOT AND I CARE FOR FLYBE UNLIKE YOU. How is what you are doing helping exactly. 4 days a month? Caring? TTP if you ask me.

[LegsUpLucy]

It is becoming a side affect of working as a LOCO pilot I dare say,
next minute we'll all be having D.V.T.,scoliosis,UV cancer to deal with before we reach retirement if it all keeps on the road its going down......

[fastjet2k]

I think when I graduate from here and get the job I've always dreamed of, I'll probably pull a sickie 3-4 times a month so I can go out with my mates the night before... doesn't matter does it, there's always somebody else to call in :mad: :mad:

[eastern wiseguy]

Let's hope your pprune identity is never outed FF ......you might get lots of time with the family!!

[ETOPS]

The major airline I work for monitors sickness in flight crew in 4 stages. Every time you are off ill, it "counts" towards your running total for a given period. After each period off your need a "return to work" interview and after two such episodes you are set a "target" of not being ill for a given period. Failure to comply moves you up a stage until investigations are made to find the underlying cause of continued absence. If this is medical then treatment is arranged, family problems are also taken into account and help offered where appropriate.
If none of the above applies - Flying Fiona:ooh: then a written warning is issued and failure to comply leads to dismissal.
This has lead to a dramatic fall in days off and our average is barely above the national average for ground based jobs.

Oh and our cabin crew have refused to join in - wonder why?

[cavortingcheetah]

;) Flying Fiona.
No.
The Starmer woman has done enough for the female flying cause already when it comes to upsticking the old digit at those who have to pick up the pieces for her indolence.
I am delighted to see that there are those of a similar ilk out there.
Perhaps we can now get back to the professional aviation practised by men instead of HobbyTime in NoddyLand.
:uhoh:

Montevideo for a while?:p

[Decisive Attitude]

Surely not, is this a wind-up?

As a community, pilots are increasingly heard lamenting how times have changed. Increasing so, these days. T&C's are on the slide, working more than ever, the quality of life has gone down.

Most importantly for some is the fact that professional pilots no longer seem able to command even basic levels of respect from our employers, peer groups (within the industry) and customers. Some think - and perhaps rightly so, but it's arguable - that as professionals we get treated rather poorly.

And yet, is it hard to see why we might be viewed more dimly than in times past when stuff like this is brought to the fore? It's hardly espousing the professionalism or high levels of responsibility that some lay claim to in this line of work.

Is it any wonder pilots are losing respect?

Is this a case of 'give a dog a bad name' or is it more a case of 'if the cap fits...'?

[The Greaser]

It is a shame but I know several pilots in the company I work for who regularly pull 'sickies', citing the fact that they are just atoning for the injustices they receive from the company. Sad but true.

[scrubed]

Flying Fiona.....

HAHAHAHAAA.......!!!!!

I bet you're really a bloke, right? Pulling in bites by trying to sound like a chick.

Nice wind-up.

But it would've been better if you'd pretended to be a hostie. Then we would've believed it.

PM me and I'll point you to a few sites where you can learn how to troll properly. You're WAY TOO obvious man!

And to all the suckers who bit... what can I say. I hope you're careful when overnighting in Bangkok, meestuh.

[Piltdown Man]

I think that you may have resigned from your company, but not yet left. When you have to break your side of an agreement in order to have a life then maybe it's time to leave. I'd suggest that you look for pastures new, quickly, before you are "sussed". Best of luck.

Piltdown

(For what it's worth, I have never pulled a sickie - but I've left jobs when the fun bit started being rationed by foul brained beancounters and human remains types)

[Big Buddha]

If you can't do the roster then get out!

How do your colleagues feel about having to cover for you, I bet my years salary that you haven't admitted this to them!

[Ranger One]

Not exactly a case of taking a sickie, but I'm sure some/many of us who have been around long enough in this business can think of occasions where we have had to 'advise' a colleague that it might possibly be prudent to call in sick... if you get my drift?

R1

[DB6]

Scrubed, :ok: :ok: :ok: . Nice one.

[TJ747]

HI THERE,

Well all i will say is , YES , some do pull a sickie when they are not sick.

This was proven in the last week when we needed a sub from an airline who managed to pull an aircraft and crew for us, all set to go and tell the pax that all is ok, then we get a call saying ... captain was on standby, he was called out to operate the flight and then 2 minutes later, he rang in to say he was sick. !!!!.

Now, im sorry but how obvious is that, he just couldnt be bothered to do his job, even when he is on standby.

Because of his actions, it meant that we had to HOTAC the flight for the night, which was not good.

So, if your reading this, thanks very much, but there is allways 2 sides to a story so will stop where i am.

Many Thx

TJ747

[Say again s l o w l y]

I've only pulled one 'sickie' in my entire working life (school was a very different matter and I won't even mention uni!) and that was more of a protest about crewing levels than anything else. I'd reached my limit and felt atrocious, all due to apalling rostering and not enough pilots. I could have just said that I was fatigued, but that would have opened a can of worms.

Usually I wouldn't contemplate it since it means someone else is getting inconvenienced and it can stuff the roster for a few days if the company is tight for crew. The only one's who suffer are the crews in that case. A bit selfish really.

[80ktsboth]

scrubed and DB6,

I don't think that's the case. Do your research and see what else Flying Fiona has posted.

Still think the same?

[JustAnothrWindScreen]

FF are you a management type fishing for some answers. I am nearing that mandatory age of becoming incompetent and have never called in sick a single day.

[FlyMD]

Having worked the other side (i.e. having rostered crews for a really small start-up company as well as flying for it), i got a pretty good idea of how crew behavior changes with factors like workload, morale, etc... Fiona, you are certainly not alone in your behavior.

On the other hand, 3 to 4 days a month is an AWFUL lot to be sick, and in my day I would have caught and "corrected" that behavior inside of 3 to 4 month maximum...

An occasional sick-out can be justified, in my opinion, if you feel that the guys and gals at rostering do not take you seriously, or don't want to waste their time doing a proper schedule... I certainly know that happens... But if it's a regular thing to alleviate your workload, there is only one thing to do: complain about the workload to the ops chief, and possibly face the music..

[nitefiter]

Never done it wont do it! and i work loco,screws it up for every one else very selfish.Get out now let someone else who wants to fly do your job

3-4 days a month?bet they already know who you are,your next base check will be very interesting!

[Firestorm]

I think this happens in many airlines. In one that I know of well there was one Captain who could be relied upon not to turn up for a weekend nightstop duty. This is not exclusive to lady crews.

That said, if you feel you need more time off, perhaps you should consider a part time contract. I know the airlines don't like it, especially the locos, but maybe they need to think about it a bit more. Ultimately you have to think of yourself: the employers only think of themselves after all.

[PilotsPal]

And what happens when you apply for another job and there's the all-revealing question on the application: details of ill-health and sick leave taken over the past two years? That might be the end of your hopes for a much desired new employment.

I am cursed with a "colleague" who hasn't worked a complete four week period for almost three years - you name it, she's suffered from it. It is said that revenge is a dish best eaten cold and one day I'm going to eat a great big bowlful, straight out the fridge.

[You Gimboid]

Flying "Fiona"

PP is right - your next employer will want to know why you've had over 30 sick days in a year.

With reference to one of FF's previous posts - perhaps that's the real reason you "turned BA down"??? "She" sure sounds like a wind-up merchant to me.

[maxy101]

I was under the impression that employers were not allowed to disclose such data via references, etc?

[The Greaser]

Maybe not but BA ask you the question on the medical questionnaire they send out.

[PilotsPal]

It's very easy to communicate these things about a skiving employee when supplying a reference to a prospective employer. A "sympathetic" observation along the lines of what terrible misfortune the applicant has suffered healthwise over the years will usually get the point across.

[Helli-Gurl]

But that's actually still illegal PP and could find you in court if the person requesting the reference were to find out and persue the matter further. Because someone is repeatedly sick doesnt mean they're not worthy of employment or are unreliable etc, unfortunately proving that someone really isnt sick is very difficult and there are even laws in place to stop employers doing this, like calling you at home etc, this if it were to go to court sadly would b seen as harrassment. The worst / most negative thing you can legally say in a reference about someone whether verbal or written is "yes they worked here".

But if that's all that was said, then that would ring alarm bells to me.

Pretty sad eh, and unfair of those that do it, and it's pretty common in all fields of employment. I don't get paid if I am not at work, no sick pay at all so you can be sure if I dont show up there is a very good reason!

Wonder how many of those that have posted here apart from the Fiona have done it....I know of at least 1 !!! ;)

x

[PilotsPal]

Helli-gurl

These things do happen, and far more frequently then people realise. Remember that in the professions people in certain positions, let us say, HR, for example, tend to know their opposite numbers in other organisations. Informal telephone conversations do take place and are beneficial to both parties. It's very common in the legal profession too. A case of "you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours", if you like. You can rest assured nothing will be recorded.

My employer is perfectly within its rights to call me at home if I go sick repeatedly - the sickness absence policy is spelled out in great detail in the Handbook. I could also be sent for examination by any number of specialists at my employer's expense if absences were persistent. And the bottom line is that if someone is unable to do the job they were employed to do then the employment can be terminated after all procedures have been complied with.

You can say its illegal - actually it's probably truer to say its against the spirit of legislation rather than the letter. If one has an exemplary employment record, one really has rather less to fear than our friend FF and her theft from her employer. Because that's what sickies are.

[Helli-Gurl]

Oh I agree PP, you're right, technically it is theft which is why I don't condone it, like I said I don't get paid for any sick time, If I don't show up then I am am not earning....perfect incentive not to do it if you ask me!

I think these days a lot of companies are getting wise to it and building in limited numbers of sick days, I known the guys at Delta only get 3 sick days a year after that it's SSP which amounts to a fat lot of nothing.

The fact of the matter is, it goes on and a lot of companies make it all too easy, it doesnt make it right, but as long a it is as easy as some people seem to find it then it will continue to go on.

[LegsUpLucy]

I dont think airlines have the right to ask and prod into your personal health,why should you have to put up with such personal infringement of your human rights.
My personal health is private and I certainly do not wish to discussit with some gimp in personnel,even if I do have Genital warts.....

[Airbus Girl]

What on earth would you put on your self-certification?
Do you vary the reasons you are sick?

The company I work for has a 3 periods off sick in 6 months and you are hauled in for an interview policy.

However, those that abuse the system continue to do so, not put off by an interview with the FM.

I know of one pilot who seems to think his time off at weekends is far more important than anyone elses. He routinely calls in sick at a weekend, forcing others at his base to come in from home standbys. Fair enough if someone really is sick but when it becomes a regular thing its really, really not fair.

Why should YOUR time at home be more important than anyone elses? You are just screwing your colleagues and that is not nice.
I feel really guilty when I really am sick and need to call in sick for a night flight because I just know how horrible it is when you are thinking you've got a nice night at home on standby and then you haven't!

So Fiona I think you are one of the rudest, most selfish pilots I have met.

[PilotsPal]

Genital warts? Let's hope that poor FO you've got an alleged crush on (cf. Agony Aunt forum) is spared any more of your rather embarrassing attentions.

Airbus Girl - I'm sure the vast majority of people reading this thread agree with your view. There's absolutely nothing wrong with staying home when you're simply not well enough to do your job. It is grossly unfair to colleagues to call in sick because essentially you decide not to go to work that day.

[PorcoRosso]

Fiona

Do you have a thought for your colleagues in standby , who would certainly appreciate to stay home with kids and wife rather than being called to do YOUR job !

You have nothing to do in this industry .

[ABO944]

FF;)

Was wondering if I could work the days you are off sick! :}

Desperate for a job and I think this could work out nicely:E

[er82]

Hazarding a big guess - FF is a girl, and is CC. There is no way she'd get away as flight deck pulling 3-4 sickies a month.
Although come to think of it, there was one who managed it for a while..... 80kts will know her!

[abra]

Flying Fiona,I don't agree with your morals with regard to taking 'sickies',but whilst you are at home and your mates are covering for you,try and learn the difference between THEY'RE//THERE//THEIR,or are you an aspiring green grocer?

[126,7]

One of my colleagues booked off "sick" 2 days a month for nearly 6 months. We have a computerised roster at work and everyone can see how much overtime you've worked and how often you've been sick.
It always gets noticed and it's a black mark next to your name that wont go away for a very loooong time.

[scrubed]

Well FF is definitely CC, at BEST. And not that smart about it either, judging by the use of "there".

I think the fact FF hasn't been back to defend himself speaks volumes. You guys are all suckers for trying to convince him he should not be doing this sickie business. Why don't you ask him what FADEC stands for and watch him fall apart....

LegsApartLucy how are the warts coming along? Why would you call in sick just for that? Is is so bad you can't focus on the job?


I think LAL and FF are the same person.

[jetjockey737]

Unfortunately this kind of thing is on the up and up. It is created because there is no flexibility in LOCO rosters. If your sisters wedding is not on a day off and you havent had your requested leave then you are stuffed...YOU WILL NOT GET THE DAY OFF. So what do you do, go OK and go to work and send your sister a congrats telegram?..or do you have a cold?

It is not a question of poor proffessionalism, or spite for other crew. It is about our perception of what is fair.

I must admit that 3-4 days a month is taking the P##S ,but on the odd occasion because of the companies inflexible attitude it is to be expected!

If you are off regularly and not sick you are making those that are sick look bad.

[You Gimboid]

I would hazard that the DELIBERATE misuse of there/they're/their is a common ploy used by those wishing to hide their identity or otherwise mislead.

I notice "she" has no problem with spelling in any of her other posts.

Journo or management, FF?

[er82]

LUL is NOT FF. I know for a fact!!!

[ILS26L]

The sickness issue is a one within all companies, not just within the airline industry. You may remember that Tesco's reported an increased amount of sickness within its staff, and decided not to pay their staff when less than 3 days off sick were taken.
Anyway, these processes are illegal.

Here are the facts which I'm pretty sure will make everyone think twice before calling in sick next time.

The majority of employees are entitled to statutory sick pay if they have to take the time off because they are unwell. At this time, my belief is that the statutory pay is £64.35 a week, and this pay is payable ony after the first three days of your illness.
All companies have a written policy on sick leave. These instructions will detail who in personel must be called, or if you must contact several departments on the first day of your sickness (i.e. crew control and cabin crew supervisors). These rules will also point out how many days you can be ill before providing a doctors certificate.

Now, if you are very often away from work on short term illnesses that are not part of a long term or more serious condition, your employer may have the right to dismiss you, but not before investigating your absences and going through the standard disciplinary procedure, giving you an opportunity to defend yourself. If you are dismissed without any warning because of absenteeism, you might be able to claim for unfair dismissal.

This is why companies have a sickness monitoring policy. I'm pretty sure Fiona is not being truthful in her declarations, as it would have triggered the sickness review policy. Unless you have a chronic illness, there aren't many explanations you can give for being sick several days in one month. And if you do have a medical condition, then although this doesn't seem humanly right, the company has the right to dismiss you as this condition makes it impossible for you to do your job.

Therefore, in such conditions, rules are easily bent by the companies, and intimidation is used, which is completely illegal. This is why it is important to be part of an airline union. You may think they are crap, but they have a legal responsibility to back up your grievence claims.

I'm currently in the process of designing a website which will offer free legal advice to any worker within the airline industry, making it easier for airline staff to understand the rules, but most importantly, know their rights, and not be intimidated to claim for victimisation, unfair dismissal, discrimination (Direct and Indirect) and harrassment (which often comes up during sickness reporting)

I'll inform you of the URL as soon as the website is out.

Regards

[Few Cloudy]

There was a girl from Barking Creek
Who had her monthlies twice a week
Her friend from Woking
said How provoking
you miss the poking
So as to speak.

Now - 3-4 days a month...

[Flying Fiona]

Full Authority Digital Engine Control! Ha, now who looks the idiot?

abra.
It matters alot if your spelling is correct. It is one of lifes major issues. Just a thought but wasn't the English language created to convey a message? Mybae you sohlud sduty the art of cmoumnacotin.

Now back to the thread.

Pulling a sickie is common practice. I believe it is higher in Aviation because of the way the staff are treated. Personally my family come way before the people I work with. Yes they are my colleagues but quite frankly I don't give a stuff about any one of them. My family mean more to me than anything in this world and all I am doing is making them more of a priority than work. It is your choice if you decide to put work before your home life.

Unfortunately the Airlines have brought this sorry state of affairs on themselves. They have nobody else to blame for the current high level of sickness that haunts them.

As for those of you that criticise me for taking a few extra days sick, can you honestly tell me you have never done it yourself? One day off sick when your not is just as morally bad as a month off. So don't tell me I'm out of order. Do you not think your being selfish towards your family by working every hour God sends? I know of a company that has just taken 3 days holiday off all their staff without any agreement. But I guess that is OK. Pilots are human at the end of the day and people will do what they have to do. You may not like the idea of sickies but it is a fact of life that most decent people will put their family first.

[ILS26L]

Flying Fiona,

Let's just stick to facts. Regardless to whether you wish to spend more time with your family or not, I think you are walking a tight rope ! On a legal point of view, you have signed a contract with your employer agreeing to work even unsociable hours. If your personal conditions have changed, I can only recommend a career change, as I do believe it would look better on your CV that you resigned from your job, instead of being dismissed from it for gross misconduct, but obviously, this is your call.

I appreciate where you are coming from with regards to poor working conditions, and I do believe that due to these conditions, a lot of airline staff would report sick for a slight headache, but with all your respect, establishing a pattern like you are doing is a bit foolish as you are only attracting your companies attention.

Just read my previous post regarding your companies rights in this situation, and I wish you luck in getting your priorities right.

All the best to you.

[scrubed]

Nice one Fiona....... I take back what I said, you are definitely smarter than I thought. Smart enough to work a google search on FADEC (http://www.rotorway.com/fadec.html), the first result of 1000s.

Good to see you came back to nurse your troll along.

I guess being a hostie has prepared you for all of life's challenges. This is a good thing.

This is not bad. 4 pages of bites to your original bait.

The word "Tool" springs to mind.

[springboksoffice]

Personally my family come way before the people.

Is that why the wife left then?

[er82]

Flying Fiona

I'm slightly confused. With all the posts you make in other threads, you make out you are a FlyBE employee, with your 'I know all and have heard it straight form management' attitude....

In your post above, you say 'I know of one company that has taken 3 days leave off all the staff'...... Now those of us who really are from the land of 'We're not low-cost, we're low fares (but we'll pay crew lower than lo-co wages, and have CC clean the a/c like lo-co)' (FlyBE) obviously know that it's our brilliant company that have taken leave off us.

I'm just wondering whether you might be slightly worried now admitting that you work for us, because any FlyBE ops/crewing person could read this post, do a quick search for company sickies, and it would have been yourself that alerted them to your terrible behaviour.... Or do you not really work for FlyBE, and all prvious threads are basically BS???

[cavortingcheetah]

:) Fiona.

I have never pulled a sickie in my life.

You have no chance.:E

[Whispering Giant]

Flying Fiona - indeed as er82 pointed there are indeed Op's and crewing personnel that read these threads.
Dont you think that flying might not not be the right career for you ????
And what about your collegues - how do you like having your life mucked around, being called off standby and doing nightstop's and all because you one of you collegues cant hack it !! You would'nt like it if your collegues did it to you so why do it to them...
As you value your family life so much above everything else would you not be better working a monday to friday 9-5pm office job - as all pilot's and cabin crew know, unsociable hour's, nightstops go with the job it's part of the job desription.
No Airline is perfect whatever you may think - flybe is no worse than anybody else,were certainly not perfect but if you speak to a pilot or cabin crew from any other airline - they will all say they are overworked, and how badly crewed they are and they dont spend enough time at home.
It's people like you - going sick just because they feel like it that make the situation worse and so make it deteoriate for your collegues and yourself and so we just end up going around in circles.....


(now stand back and wait's for torent of abuse....)

[cavortingcheetah]

;) WG

As one who operated for so long on the other side of your fence; I agree with you. But one of the realities is this: Which company carries sufficient standbys so that crew are not woken at funn ny hours of the night and 'asked' to fly when on a 'Day Off'?

The secret of a comfortable relationship with crewing lies in a little expenditure and much relief.

Put in another telephone line. Buy another mobile. Make sure that only crewing have these two numbers. That way, if either telephone ever rings, it will be the boys with whom you may, or may not, wish to speak. If you feel guilty about this; put an answering machine on the landline.:suspect:

[Stan Woolley]

WG

Wouldn't want to disappoint you.:ok:

As you value your family life so much above everything else would you not be better working a monday to friday 9-5pm office job - as all pilot's and cabin crew know, unsociable hour's, nightstops go with the job it's part of the job desription

I am so sick of hearing this GARBAGE - there is NO GOOD REASON why a pilot or anybody else working for an airline should not expect to be able to have a life outside work. On occasion things go wrong yes thats part of the job but most of the problems arise from undercrewing and incompetence - simple as that.

You're WRONG about all other airlines too - there are some who have copped on to the fact that it saves money to have a decent roster.

Look at Ryanair - do you think they provide a steady roster because they care about pilots lifestyles?Or do you think they have found it SAVES MONEY?

Anyone got any kids - I need my chimney sweeping! :E

[er82]

I'm pretty much with WG on this one. (Loyalty and all that!) It's going sick that disrupts other people's lifestyles. I once had to sit in BRS for 5 hrs, waiting to pick up a flight which I was to then operate. Found it all highly un-amusing, as we don't even have a crew room there where I could escape from pax. About 2 months later, it turns out, and it came straight from the 'sickies' mouth, he'd actually got a mate to call in sick for him so he could go on the piss! WG - Hope it all got sorted last night! While you were working hard (?!) I was sat eating Banoffe Pie!!

However, I'm afraid that CC is also totally correct. Coming straight from a Manager last weekend, after some serious disruption yet again, it's not 'company policy' to have Captains on standby in the afternoon. That was from the three southern bases. Doesn't make it easy for crewing to sort a problem when there's no standby cover. And that's just stupid.

As for Stan Woolley, you're right. Flight crew can have a life outside work. But taking sick days so that they can get days off with their family is wrong. Accept that you will work shifts, and have unsociable hours, work weekends, be sent away occasionally, and sometimes get stuck because of weather/tech aircraft, and all is fine.

Pull a sicky so that you can have a weekend off, and that's where you'll get problems. If everyone did it, there'd be no crew at any weekend, and the company would collapse. What makes it ok for one to do, and not another??

[Stan Woolley]

I didn't make a judgement about 'sickies' being right or wrong, just about some of the reasons they happen.

It's obvious that 'sickies' compound any problems but if you address the bigger issues very few pilots will abuse the system, those that do should be sacked.

Never enough crew, tugs, loaders, dispatchers etc all in short supply but funny how the bonuses are always affordable. :yuk:

FF do yourself and your colleagues a favour and move on.

[Omark44]

Well, it is only my personal opinion but, I think you guys and gals have got it all wrong!

Anyone who thinks it is quite OK take take 3 to 4 'pulled' sickies a month is seriously sick, f*$%^&@ nuts, in fact!

Leave the industry FF, you are surplus to requirement, quite apart from needing professional help.

[er82]

Yeah, Ops people read this post. Bet they're in work now doing a search on sickness days!

[cavortingcheetah]

:D This must have been a little old wind up thread.
No one could be so stupid as to ignore such sound advice from Silberfuchs - unless of course, they were so ill advised as to advertise idiotic mendacity on the forum floor anyway.
Tomorrow falls the axe upon the neck of fair faking flying Fiona?

[ILS26L]

White Knight Quote "And pulling a sickie is a lowdown CC thing to do"

White Knight

You're bang out of order ! Good CRM !!!! :mad: :mad:
You're as bad as FF !:*

[er82]

Sorry. Had to bite the bait.
Dictionary - Until you know exactly what the circumstances are, don't be tarnishing all young pilot's the same, saying they look gift horses in the mouth.

I've been at FlyBE 2 years now, and have pretty much loved every minute of it. HOWEVER, they have absolutely no regard whatsoever for crews personal life, and couldn't give two hoots about night-stopping crews for 3 weeks out of 4. Keeping crew away from their families; adding on extra sectors at will, meaning no chance whatsoever of being able to plan any aspect of your life ; no 'reward' for being sh*t upon - a measly pay deal with no disruption payments that will ever reach our bank accounts ; oh, and the best one - shafting Dash-8 crew and putting new-joiners with 250hrs straight onto the 146 without even a sim check, and some measly bond instead of what the rest of us have had to fork out.

I don't condone FF - it's not the way to go about things as you only end up messing up someone else's life.


But don't be saying we don't know how lucky we are and how nice we've got it.
Oh, and FF is cabin crew, not a pilot, so why you decided to have a go at us, I'm not quite sure.

[er82]

Ummm, I am doing something about it. I'm leaving. As have over 90 people in the past few months. I think that is a very strong pointer to the fact that people are getting peed off with such terrible roster disruption.

I'm not asking to have a roster that revolves around my social life, but when you only work 4 days out of a month from your HOME base, and spend the rest of the time in a hotel, it makes it quite difficult to have one.

Please also don't insinuate that I'm immature and unprofessional. These forums are for people to air their grievances. If you don't like reading people complaining, DON'T READ THESE FORUMS!!!

I have no reason to speak to MW. I think he quite clearly knows why so many people have left - although saying that he doesn't seem to want to do anything about it and sort the root of all problems!

P.S. If you know MW so well, how come you haven't got a job with FlyBE?!?!?! Positions are always held for his 'friends'!

[White Knight]

ILS 26L - get off your soapbox:{ :{

The airline where I work has a very high number of NON SICK SICKIES amongst CC. That is a FACT
And pulling a stunt like this only screws your fellow crewmembers - that's where the poor CRM is my deluded friend:mad:

[cavortingcheetah]

;) Captains should stand up for the rights of their crews.
Companies should employ sufficient people to cover Standbys.
Cabin Crews should be re-educated.
CRM is an invention of the Socialist Layabout Party.:uhoh:

[The Greaser]

Although many cabin crew (and pilots to a lesser extent) do pull sickies (amazing how its on Saturday morning most of the time), I am also amazed at how frequently crew members show up when clearly unfit to work. This is an unfortunate side effect of 'bullying' from management - ie. sacking or threatening to sack people on probation whos sickness record is deemed unacceptable even if genuine, or denying people chance of promotion based on sickness record.

[PorcoRosso]

Dear Fiona

I have been sick 2 days in 10 years, and I was really sick.
If conditons are so bad at Flybe, go away .

[cavortingcheetah]

:) In my hardly humble opinion, the captain is responsible for the welfare of all the crew.
Therefore, if someone turns up sick (unfit) the captain has a duty to call crewing and require a standby to be provided. Obviously this might not work too easily at the start of a four sector early. But it should be feasible at the end of the second sector, assuming return to a company base before launching on the third sortie and assuming that the crew member is still alive to be relieved.
Furthermore and depending on the type of aircraft; I have always considered that a captain should have in mind the physical needs of his crew, for hot meals, loo breaks and so on, before entering into discretion.
Captains are usually in fairly short supply and are not so easily replaced as useless cannon fodder. They owe it to their crews to stand up to Crewing/Management in an effort to smooth and improve the quality of life for all concerned.:E